Reducing risk via ground testing is a recipe for SpaceX success

SpaceX have noted they are happy with the technical progress being made on their new Falcon 9 v.1.1 (F 9-R) launch vehicle, as they prepare their next generation rocket for its role in upcoming launches and the future goal of creating a fully reusable launch system. UPDATE: SpaceX provided an update on Thursday evening, noting they have successfully completed the first stage’s development testing.

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The focus has since switched to testing all nine Merlin 1Ds – together in their new octagonal placement on the core stage – on the test stand at SpaceX’s Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas.

“There have been varied tests for Falcon 9-R, including several in the past few weeks. As we prepare to fly this next generation Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX will test everything possible on the ground,” noted SpaceX spokesperson Christina Ra to NASASpaceFlight.com.

“SpaceX’s testing program is very rigorous to wring out problems before we fly operational missions. We do more testing than other launch service providers, and we do significant system testing. We are happy with our technical progress and will continue to test to reduce risk, as getting our customers’ payloads to orbit safely is our top priority.”

UPDATE: Late on Thursday, SpaceX confirmed the latest firing of the stage on the test stand completed first stage development testing, allowing for the progression towards acceptance testing and flight preparations.

“SpaceX completed first-stage development testing on June 19 with a firing that achieved all verifications needed following earlier stage testing,” Ms. Ra noted in an update to NASASpaceFlight.com

“With this test, we have achieved the equivalent of nearly two full mission duty cycles on the integrated stage. We are now moving into the stage acceptance tests and final preparations for flight.”

Earlier, SpaceX noted they are ticking several boxes on their upgraded rocket’s report card, at both ends of the vehicle.

“We have already successfully demonstrated the 50 percent increase in thrust with the upgraded (and qualified) Merlin 1D engine, and we have qualified all primary structure,” Ms. Ra noted, adding an issue with the test setup for their new fairing – as opposed to an issue with the fairing design – has also been resolved.

“I can confirm that we are nearing the end of fairing testing. SpaceX did determine an issue with our load test setup.”

“We’ve now modified the test setup, because we had an experience with the fairing in an area that was loaded well beyond 100 percent of ultimate possible load – in other words, the issue experienced was not a failure of the fairing design, it was a test issue that has now been resolved.”

SpaceX note they currently remain on schedule – depending on the outcome of the upcoming testing – to begin their next salvo of launches, starting with the CASSIOPE mission, within the current August/September timeframe.

“SpaceX will determine when we have gained enough confidence in understanding the interaction of all components through system testing. Depending on the outcome of the remaining testing, launch windows in this timeframe are still achievable,” added Ms. Ra.

“As always, the safety of our customers’ payloads is our top priority, so we will continue to test until we’re satisfied that we have done all we can to ensure a successful mission outcome.”

The Falcon Heavy will be a game changer for America’s commercial heavy lift capability. With its kerosene-driven first stage made up of three nine-engine cores, a total of 27 Merlin 1D engines will generate the 3.97 million pounds of thrust at liftoff for the new vehicle.

The resulting performance will allow for a Mass to Orbit (200 km, 28.5 deg) of 53 metric tons (117,000 lbs), with its thrust lifting the 1,463 metric tons of hardware and fuel off the company’s Vandenberg pad.